This 359 km route from Shōsei Garden to Saku crosses Kyoto, Nagano, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Shiojiri Niekawa, Nagano; the location sits about 289.8 km from the start of the route and 60 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Nagiso, Nagano, sitting about 217.1 km from the start and 2 m off the route line.
At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
24 places within 1 km of your route, passing through Kyoto, Nagano, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shiga.
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Niekawa, Nagano
While walking along the 4-chome forest path in Meiji Village (between SL Nagoya Station and Meiji Coffee Time House), a bear about 1 meter tall ran up the mountain from the uphill side right next to the path. When I put about 10 meters of distance between us, it watched us for a while.
Inuyama 字内山, Aichi
Size: adult
Nagawa 大門, Nagano
Size: Adult
Kiso, Nagano
Around 18:00 on May 15, 2026, a member of the local hunting association reported to the city hall that they had sighted one adult bear about 1.5 meters long in Soga, Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture. Police arrived at the scene but the bear had already left; they are patrolling the area and warning residents.
Shiojiri Daimon, Nagano
Size: Adult (fully grown)
Shiojiri Daimon-nibancho, Nagano
Size: adult
Nagiso Azuma, Nagano
A single juvenile bear was in a small patch of grass along National Route 19.
Kiso Hiyoshi, Nagano
A moon bear (Asian black bear) about 1–1.2 meters long was located about 500 meters from the Nakasendō.
Nagiso, Nagano
In Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, one bear ran out in front of a moving passenger car and collided with it, damaging the left front tire area and leaving the vehicle unable to drive, but there were no injuries. In Aomori Prefecture, bear sightings near inhabited areas prompted emergency shooting, and a total of two bears were culled; one of the culled adults is believed to be an Asiatic black bear about 1.5 m long and 80 kg.
Shiojiri Daimon-nanabancho, Nagano
Two bears crossed in front of the car.
Mizunami, Gifu
It was along the roadside. When I approached by car, it ran up into the mountain.
Kani 久々利柿下入会, Gifu
Size: adult (full-grown)
Shiojiri Kisohirasawa, Nagano
Size: Unknown
Kiso, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri, Nagano
There have been repeated bear sightings in Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, with five sightings reported in April. On May 2 an adult bear was seen near Chokoji (長興寺) in Seba, and the city has deployed wildlife patrol officers to strengthen monitoring.
Shiojiri Narai, Nagano
Size: Adult
Shiojiri Seba, Nagano
Size: juvenile
Kiso, Nagano
Peak activity at 18:00 with 2 incidents
Ursus thibetanus japonicus
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Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of this route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku).
The most recent sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Shiojiri Niekawa, Nagano; the location sits about 289.8 km from the start of the route and 60 m off the route line.
Recent sightings on this route peak around 18:00. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk.
This 359 km route from Shōsei Garden to Saku crosses Kyoto, Nagano, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, and Shiga. Over the past 30 days, 18 bear sightings have been recorded within 5 km of the route, including 8 in the past week. This route runs through Asian black bear habitat (native to Honshu and Shikoku). The most recent sighting was reported 23 hours ago near Shiojiri Niekawa, Nagano; the location sits about 289.8 km from the start of the route and 60 m off the route line. The closest sighting to the route line was reported 1 week ago at Nagiso, Nagano, sitting about 217.1 km from the start and 2 m off the route line. At this density of recent sightings, consider rescheduling or choosing a different trail until activity quiets.
